Representing the country's national football team is something often taken for granted in Ghana.
The fans dismiss any international football that isn't a tournament, and club managers spend each day nervously waiting to get their players back in one piece. Even the players that go as regulars can get caught in the moment and not quite appreciate the gravity of the situation; the national team is the country's pinnacle of excellence (more often than not).
There is always only so many spots, though, meaning talent is always guaranteed to miss out somewhere. Annor Walker, the manager of the Black Stars B team on Thursday named a 35-man team for upcoming matches and surprisingly left out some names we at kickgh.com feel should have been included in the list.
Here, we introduces ten players deserving a chance in the Black Stars B team.
Samuel Kusi (King Faisal Babes)
There are few (if any) youngsters in Ghana's elite league more underrated than Samuel Kusi.
King Faisal's dynamic left-back may only be experiencing his third year in top-flight football, and he has carved out quite the reputation already. He has scored 3 goals, 5 assists, and 3 MVPs in 26 games.
Kusi possesses great strength, pace, and positional awareness, while his dribbling and tackling ability make him a constant threat both on and off the ball.
His club side may be suffered from inconsistent displays in their campaign, but regular glimpses of the full-back's quality should mean a Black Stars B call-up isn't too far away.
Augustine Agyapong (Asante Kotoko)
While he deserves immense credit for his work rate and performances, it is his overall approach that has been the real story. Positive, calm, and insightful, he has given the club options at the right-back position.
Bringing vital mental fortitude, immense footballing quality, and unmistakable experience, Agyapong is arguably one of the best in his position in the league.
Mubarak Yussif (Kotoko)
The defender may not make the headlines like Franck Etouga, Ibrahim Imoro, Salifu Mudasiru and Danlad Ibrahim, but discount his importance at your peril as he has been pivotal to the progress and uptick in Kotoko's form since Prosper Narteh Ogum took charge.
His impressive avoidance of injury shows him to be a professional in every sense of the word, a reliable defender who deserves the acclamation like many of his teammates receive.
Benjamin Abaidoo ( Medeama)
Abaidoo is very strong, good in the air and thrives on closely man-marking the opponent and using his reading of the game to outwit opposing attackers, but he also know when to get stuck in, also adept to using his body to shield the ball away from danger and also make powerful recovery when required.
Benjamin Abaidoo plays a left-back for the Mauves and Yellows. Contrary to popular belief and perception, he is actually a very intelligent footballer, which he demonstrates emphatically with his astute positioning and covering of his teammates.
Vincent Atinga (Medeama)
Strong and composed leadership is a high-ranking trademark for a Ghanaian centre-back and Medeama SC have that in Vincent Atinga.
The defender not only has the makings of an old-school defender but can combine that ruthless quality with a modern-day ball-playing attribute that so many defenders possess.
Atinga is also a regular fixture for the Mauve and Yellows this campaign. He is a class act but certainly one of the most underrated players in the Ghanaian league.
Laar Ibrahim (Techiman Eleven Wonders)
The striker specialises in finding openings where others can’t, unlocking stubborn defences with his touch, vision and trickery. He always wants the ball and isn’t afraid of losing it. He is the kind of forwards who relishes one-on-one situations, challenging their opposite number to a personal battle and backing themselves to win.
He has everything: he’s good on the ball, he scores goals and he helps the team. His quick movements are crucial in ‘killing’ the opposition defenders. You just have to give him a metre of space and he’ll hurt you.
Frederick Asare ( Accra Lions)
Most of Accra Lions' first XI are getting the praise they deserve his season, but few are talking about just how big an impact Asare has had on the side. The goalkeeper has made saves, punches and made errors that have led to goals whilst inducing a sense of calm in his defence.
His dependability was highlighted in his club’s games hen he picked up an injury. One of the safest pair of hands in the division. Asare's major strength is his ability to be in the right position in order to cover a large portion of the goal especially when opposing forwards are bearing down on goal. Another strength of his is his distribution.
He has 13 clean sheets in 23 appearances.
Matthew Kelvin Andoh (Karela United FC)
As silky and talented as they come, Matthew Kelvin Andoh makes football look easy such is his vision and quality on the ball.
Yet, the Karela man does not earn the public admiration of the Ghanaian football community that he deserves.
With 6 goals and an assist in 20 appearances for his side, Andoh deserves some recognition for chalking these numbers as a right winger.
Emmanuel Appau (Bibiani Goldstars)
Appau has matured considerably this year, improving his final ball and becoming much more consistent under the tutelage of Michael Osei. He is now one of the finest wingers in the game whose brilliance has been masked by some popular players in the division.
He has been, in an otherwise remarkable year for the Miners, consistently outstanding. His reading of the game, confidence in possession, and speed makes Appau the perfect winger for the modern game.
It's not just his right wand that dazzles. His extensive repertoire of skills can bamboozle even the most experienced defender, cutting either outside or inside and laying off for a teammate with measured precision.
Yakubu Haqq ( Bibiani Goldstars)
Bibiani Goldstars' best centre-back this campaign,Haqq is a composed centre back and boasts an excellent passing range that helps his side overcome any opposing press in their own half. He's also tenacious in his tackling and has even been compared to Sergio Ramos for the similarities in their respective playing styles.
He is very strong, good in the air and thrives on closely man-marking the opponent and using his reading of the game to outwit opposing attackers, but he also know when to get stuck in, also adept to using his body to shield the ball away from danger and also make powerful recovery when required.
